MRI

Quiz
Regardless of the type of magnet, the Z-axis is always
Ans: parallel with the B0 field.
Net magnetization is defined as the
Ans: sum of nuclear magnetic moments.
Which of the following contributes to the magnitude of M0?
Ans: proton density
An MR image represents what tissue characteristic?
Ans: hydrogen concentration
The microscopic magnetic field associated with the proton within the magnetic field is
known as the:
Ans: Magnetic moment (μ)
A nuclear magnetic moment in the presence of an external magnetic field interacts by
Ans: magnetic field and magnetic field.
A condition whereby there are MORE spins “in line” with the magnetic field than “opposed”
is known as:
Ans: Thermal equilibrium
Abnormal tissue character is best exhibited by
Ans: unexpected pixel brightness.
Energy is most efficiently transferred from one system to another at
Ans: resonance.
When M equals zero, this indicates that nuclear magnetic moments
Ans: are arranged randomly.
M0 is proportional to
Ans: B0
At equilibrium, no signal can be received from a patient because
Ans: there is no MXY component.
In the absence of an external magnetic field, the direction of a nuclear magnetic moment
will
Ans: be random.
The RF pulse is applied to achieve a condition known as
Ans: Excitation

Modules
He first described the rotating magnetic field that opened a door for imaging process.
Ans: c. Nikola Tesla
All are considered disadvantages of MRI, except:
Ans: d. invasive
He developed a method for measuring the movements of atomic nuclei in 1937.
Ans: a. Isidor Rabi
He used a back projection technique in demonstrating the MRI on a small test tube samples.
Ans: d. Paul Lauterbur
This technique allows the mapping of the function of the various regions of the human brain.
Ans: c. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
The precession frequency of a gyroscope is a function of the mass and shape of the wheel,
the speed of wheel rotation, and the strength of the gravitational field. The precession
frequency of a nucleus is proportional to the Bo and the γ. This is embodied in the famous:
Ans: d. Larmor Relationship
Which of the following is not true in the proton spin?
Ans: d. Negatively charged atom.
In atomic nuclei, what is the basis of MRI to become magnetized?
Ans: c. Hydrogen
This refers to the concentration of protons in the tissue in the form of water &
macromolecules.
Ans: d. Proton density
All are types of magnets used in MRI scanning, except:
Ans: a. Permanent
This is associated with the enthalpy of the spin system or the number of nuclei with parallel
versus anti-parallel spin.
Ans: a. Longitudinal relaxation
The process by which the magnetization slowly returns to equilibrium following the rotation
of the magnetization away from the longitudinal axis with an RF pulse.
Ans: b. Relaxation
The 90°-pulse only brings a tiny fraction of the spins with one another and these newly in-
phase spins are the same ones that were originally preferentially aligned with the B0 field
before the RF pulse. This is embodied into:
Ans: d. Phase coherence
The basis of contrast throughout the object is referred to as:
Ans: b. Spin density
The net magnetic moment induced in an object or tissue when exposed to an external
magnetic field. This is known as:
Ans: c. Magnetization
This is known to be the most used diagnostic imaging test and are widely available.
Ans: a. X-ray
In the range of densities, the presence of muscle and fluid is represented by:
Ans: b. Gray
Which of the following is true about MRI?
Ans: a. MRI is composed of several picture elements called slice.
Which of the following is used as a unit of the power?
Ans: b. W
In the microscopic property, what nuclei have an NMR signal?
Ans: a. Hydrogen
This is a quantum mechanical intrinsic property of elementary particles.
Ans: b. Spin
All are key differences in the spin physics of MRI that should be recognized, except:
Ans: b. The particle is actually spinning or rotating.
This aligns itself with external field when the proton is placed in an external magnetic field.
Ans: c. Spin vector
The NMR experiment measures this type of frequency that causes a spin flip. This is known
as:
Ans: a. Resonant Frequency
This is a form of inertia, reflecting the object's size, shape, mass, and rotational velocity.
Ans: b. Angular Momentum
What is the Boltzmann’s constant?
Ans: b. 1.3805x10-23 J/Kelvin
In this, a constant frequency, which is continuously on, probes the energy levels while the
magnetic field is varied.
Ans: a. Continuous Wave Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Experiment
This is used to supply radio frequency to a tuned circuit through a resistor, resulting in a
constant current signal.
Ans: b. Signal Generator
The first step in developing the macroscopic picture is:
Ans: b. spin packets
This is the vector sum of the magnetization vectors from all of the spin packets.
Ans: c. Net Magnetization
This is known to be the cause of motions in solution which result in time varying magnetic
fields.
Ans: b. Spin relaxation
In MR, the magnetic field created by the coil passing an alternating current at the Larmor
frequency is known as:
Ans: a. B1
The time constant which describes the return to equilibrium of the transverse magnetization
is called:
Ans: d. T2
This governs the rate of recovery of the longitudinal magnetization.
Ans: b. T1
The time constant which describes how MZ returns to its equilibrium value is called:
Ans: b. T1

Possible questions
In the equation associated with the Larmor Equation, B0 stands for:
Ans: Static magnetic field
In either frame of reference employed in MRI, the Z axis is always the direction of the
Ans: external magnetic field
The laboratory frame of reference is sometimes called the ___ frame.
Ans: stationary
In a super conducting magnet, the Z axis is
Ans: parallel B0
In order to flip net magnetization from Z Axis, one must employ
Ans: a rotating magnetic field of proper frequency
In the rotating frame of reference an observer:
Ans: is in that frame
The available permanent magnet imagers have a/an ___ B0 field
Ans: vertical
Vector Diagrams used to illustrate MRI principles are in the ____ frame.
Ans: rotating
The maximum MRI signal is produced following
Ans: a 90° RF pulse
In rotating frame, the net magnetization vector:
Ans: Does not precess
In MRI, the flip of the net magnetization form Z axis is accomplished by a:
Ans: radio-frequency pulse
Two basic properties of hydrogen are important to MRI are:
Ans: charge and spin
When tissue is placed in a static magnetic field, the hydrogen nuclei tend to:
because the proton spins, it:
Ans: align with the field
Hydrogen has a magnetic field because it is:
Ans: charged and spinning
A hydrogen proton in a 4 Tesla magnet would have a Larmor frequency of:
Ans: 170.4 MHz
Net magnetization at equilibrium is significant to MRI because its value determines:
Ans: signal intensity
MR signal intensity is directly proportional to:
(1) spin density
(2) gyromagnetic ratio
(3) spin density squared
(4) gyromagnetic ratio squared
Ans: 1 and 2
When sampling the MRI signal, the lower limit on the sampling rate is determined by:
Ans: the rate needed to avoid aliasing artifacts
To decrease the presence of random noise, doubling the NEX from one to two increases the
SNR by a factor of:
Ans: 1.41
Limited dynamic range leads to:
Ans: false contouring
A Faraday cage is:
Ans: an antenna surrounding the magnet room for clipping external RF signals
The term sampling, when applied to MRI relates to which of the following?
Ans: measuring the value of an MRI signal at regular intervals
For which flip angle would the spin ensemble be partially saturated?
Ans: an alpha pulse
The two dimensional Fourier transform (2-DFT) samples the spatial frequency domain on
which of the following systems?
Ans: rectangular grid
When nuclear spins are at an equilibrium in the presence of an external magnetic field (+Z)
which of the following is correct?
Ans: more spins will be in a low energy state
Which of the following pulse sequences parameter combinations will produce T1-WD
images?
Ans: short TR and short TE
An MR signal of many high spatial frequencies represent:
(1) a very small object
(2) significant changes in the MRI signal
(3) good spatial resolution
(4) a delayed signal time
Ans: 1, 2, and 3
The window width displays:
Ans: the range of pixel values
The minimum matrix size that does not appear blocky is approximately?
Ans: 128 x 128
The spatial frequency domain is also identified as:
Ans: K space
Noise is generally more apparent in an image when __________ are present
Ans: many high frequencies are present
The middle, or center portion, of the spatial frequency domain map is that data which
represents:
Ans: low frequencies
Historically, the first method employed to reconstruct data for an MR image was which of
the following
Ans: filtered back projection
An image most closely correlates to the weighted sum of:
Ans: spatial frequencies
A smaller FOV will result in:
Ans: a gain in spatial resolution
Which of the following is not a line of a pulse sequence diagram?
Ans: Shield and shim gradients
By convention, when a slice select gradient field is superimposed on Bo, the resulting slice
will be:
Ans: 2 only
In order to excite spins in a given slice thickness of tissue, the RF pulse bandwidth must:
Ans: match the Larmor frequency at Bo + Bss
The term "envelope" of a FID refers to:
Ans: line joining magnitude of signal peaks
The effect of the pulsed phase-encoding gradient on the phase of spins along a column is:
Ans: to impress a phase shift along the Bo gradient
Shortening the TR will result in:
Ans: less contrast resolution, shorter scan time
Spins in an oblique slice in a superconducting imager are selectively excited when the
________ are energized simultaneously.
Ans: X, Y, and Z gradient
Using the __________________technique, it is possible to generate 50 images in a 2500-ms
TR interval.
Ans: multislice, multiecho spin echo imaging
A magnetic field gradient adds to the strength of the Bo magnetic field:
Ans: X, Y, and Z gradient:
A magnetic field gradient adds to the strength of the Bo magnetic field:
Ans: linearly
The principle advantage to multi-slice imaging is:
Ans: multiple slices are imaged in the same time necessary for one slice
The purpose of the 90 degree pulse in an inversion recovery pulse sequence is to:
Ans: rotate the remaining Mo onto the Mxy plane
During the partial saturation pulse sequence the only change from one TR to the next one
slice of signal acquisition is which of the following?
Ans: the phase-encoding gradient
Multiple NEX MRI signals are averaged to:
Ans: improve signal to noise ratio
The MR signal acquired during an inversion recovery pulse sequence used to produce a "test
image" for the computer's use in checking the actual image is which of the following?
Ans: a spin echo
The symbol for net magnetization is:
Ans: B0
Net magnetization at equilibrium M0 is important to MRI because its value determines:
Ans: signal intensity
The difference in signal intensity from one tissue to the another is influenced by:
Ans: spin density
MR signal intensity is directly proportional to
Ans: spin density & gyromagnetic ratio square
In the absence of an external magnetic field, net magnetization has a:
Ans: value of zero
When tissue are placed in an external magnetic filed, individual nuclear magnetic moments:
Ans: align over time
RF energy used in MRI is classified as:
Ans: low energy, nonionizing radiation
Color is best visualized with
Ans: Cones
The ability to detect differences in brightness level is termed:
Ans: contrast perception
An MR image has two principle characteristics:
Ans: contrast resolution and spatial resolution
When evaluation the gross anatomy visible in an MR image, the basic geometric factors are:
Ans: size, shape, position
When evaluating the position of an anatomical structure in an MR image, the possibilities
include:
Ans: normal, intrinsically malpositioned, extrinsically displaced
Pixel location is determined by:
Ans: size, shape, position
The number of principle MR imaging parameters matches the number of primary colors.
That number is:
Ans: three
Pixel character is determined by:
Ans: RF pulse sequence
An MR image would be identified as:
Ans: visual
An MR image sometimes called a ______ image.
Ans: Representational
The ability to perceive fine details is called:
Ans: visual acuity
The visual receptors of the human eye include the:
Note: Select as many apply.
Ans: Rods, cones
Rods of the human retina are:
Note: Select as many apply.
Ans: more sensitive than cones, used principally for scotopic vision
The character of pixel is represented by its:
Note: Select as many apply.
Ans: Brightness and color
Which of the following influence the character of an MRI pixel?
Note: Select as many apply.
Ans: Spin density and motion
The principle parameters influencing the character is an MRI pixel are:
NOTE: Answer may include more than one response, check all that apply.
Ans: spin density, T1 relaxation, T2 relaxation
Pixel in MR image has two characteristics:
Ans: location and character
A solenoid is a device that:
Ans: is a helical coil of wire
The unit of electricity is the:
Ans: coulomb
Which of the following tissues, based strictly on spin density should appear brightest?
Ans: water
The magnetic field created by a moving electron is oriented _____ to the electron motion.
Ans: perpendicular
The NMR spectrum of hydrogen does not contain information about phosphorous berceuse
of differences in
Ans: Larmor frequency
The force exerted in magnetic field is measured in
Ans: tesla
What image will be produced if a linearly varying x gradient is turned on running from left to
right of the patient
Ans: Sagittal
What image will be produced if a linearly varying y gradient is turned on running from floor
to ceiling relative to patient?
Ans: Coronal
Simultaneously turning on the x and z gradient will produce a ______ image?
Ans: Oblique
To maintain the magnetic field of a resistive magnet, which of the following should be
applied to the magnet coils?
Ans: Current
Assuming B0 is parallel to the z-axis and a linearly varying z gradient field is turned on, what
image will be produced?
Ans: Axial
Which of the following is considered the linearly varying magnetic field?
Ans: The gradient field
Which of the following is a function of the RF coil?
Ans: Detection of the MR signal
In a typical superconducting (cylindrical bore closed) magnet, the direction of the magnetic
field is:
Ans: Horizontal
The liquid cryogen commonly used to maintain the magnetic superconducting temperature
for a two tank system are?
Ans: Helium and nitrogen
Materials such as gadolinium that have unpaired electrons and align with direction of
externally applied magnetic field (low positive) are called?
Ans: Paramagnetic materials
Materials that have half-filled electron shells; show a strong positive attraction and
alignment to an external magnetic field; and can become permanent magnets are called
Ans: Ferromagnetic materials
When was the first MRI image of the human body produced?
Ans: 1970s
Permanent magnets with a vertical magnetic field use surface coils that are:
Ans: Solenoids
Faradays law of induction states that is a loop of wire is moved through a magnetic field,
__________ will be created in the wire.
Ans: A voltage
According to Faradays law of induction, the amount of current produced in a loop of wire
moving through a magnetic field is proportional to the:
Ans: Strength of the magnetic field
The direction of the magnetic field in a typical permanent magnet is:
Ans: Vertical
To maintain the magnetic field of a resistive magnet, which if the following should be
applied to the magnet coils?
Ans: Current
During thermal equilibrium, the vector that represents the "spin excess" is known as the:
Ans: Net magnetization vector (NMV)
Proton spins that are "in line" with the static magnetic field (B0) are reffered to as all of the
following EXCEPT:
Ans: High energy spins
In the equation associated with Larmor Equation, Y stands for:
Ans: Gyromagnetic ratio
What are the three basic types of magnets used to construct MRI scanners?
Ans: Permanent, resistive, superconducting
What is the most common type of MRI magnet in use today
Ans: superconducting
What type of magnet cannot be turned off?
Ans: Permanent
Under what circumstances should a superconducting magnet be turned off?
Ans: In certain life threatening emergencies
Who was the first person to demonstrate a radio signal from the nucleus of an atom?
Ans: Isidor Rabi
Which two physicists first won a Nobel Prize in Physics for their development of nuclear
induction?
Ans: Bloch and Purcell
Who is credited with the first human body image in 1977?
Ans: Raymond Damadian
In what year did MRI receive its FDA approval?
Ans: 1985
Who is considered to be the father of MRI with their development of the T1 and T2
equations?
Ans: Bloch
What were the early NMR machines used to study, and what was the name of this
technique?
Ans: Chemicals, spectroscopy
Which of the following is the most abundant atom in the human body?
Ans: Hydrogen
What prompted the name change from NMR to MRI prior to FDA approval?
Ans: Nuclear disasters at the time.
To prevent patients from thinking it was ionizing radiation
What are the three main components of an MRI machine?
Ans: Magnet, computer, operating console
The nucleus of a hydrogen atom contains:
Ans: One proton
In MR imaging, the term "spin" refers specifically to the spinning:
Ans: Nuclei
What is the Larmor equation used to calculate?
Ans: Precessional frequency
The time from the application of the RF pulse to the peak of the signal induced in the coil is
termed the:
Ans: Echo time (TE)
The number of protons in a nucleus is termed:
Ans: Atomic number
With regard to energy, protons in parallel alignment are in the _________ state, whereas
protons in anti-parallel alignment are in the __________ state.
Ans: Low, high
The term used to describe the movement of molecules due to random thermal motion is:
Ans: Diffusion
In the equation associated with Larmor Equation, Bo stands for:
Ans: Static magnetic field
In the equation associated with Larmor Equation, Wo stand for
Ans: frequency
In the equation associated with Larmor Equation, Y stands for
Ans: Gyromagnetic ratio
Spin density is another term for
Ans: Proton density
Spin density is determined by
Ans: amount of excess spins in the low energy state at equilibrium
During thermal equilibrium there are
1. more spins in the low energy state
2. more spins in the high energy state
3. equal number of spins in the low and high energy state
4. less spins in the low energy state
Ans: 1 only
During excitation, all of the following occur except:
1. low energy spins enter the high energy state
2. Spins begin to precess "in phase"
3. The net magnetizaion is transferred into the transverse (x/y) plane
4. High energy spins return to the low energy state
Ans: 4
During relaxation, all of the following occur except:
1. Low energy spins enter the high energy state
2 High energy spins return to the low energy state
3. Spins begin to precess "out of phase" or lose phase coherence
4. The net magnetization recovers longitudinally
Ans: 1
Hydrogen nuclei have a magnetic moment because they possess a property called
Ans: spin
When placed in a large static magnetic field, hydrogen nuclei
Ans: align in either a parallel or anti-parallel position
Spins aligned in the anti-parallel direction are in a _____ energy state
Ans: high
During thermal equilibrium, the spin excesses of individual hydrogen nuclei add to form
Ans: a net magnetic vector
The formula that describes the relationship between the static magnetic field and the
precessional frequency of the hydrogen protons is the
Ans: Larmor equationesla
During thermal equilibrium, the individual protons precess ______
Ans: out of phase
In order for energy to transfer between systems, the two systems must be at the same
Ans: Resonant frequency
The RF energy used in MRI is classified as ____ radiation
Ans: Electromagnetic radiation
The MR signal is produced by magnetization in what plane
Ans: transverse
The gradient that varies in amplitude with each TR is the
Ans: Phase-encoding
Magnetic susceptibility effects are more prominent with ____ sequences
Ans: Gradient echo
The purpose of shimming a magnet is to
Ans: make the Bo as homogeneous as possible
During MR imaging, all equipment should be inspected prior to use to be sure that
components are in proper working order. The components include:
1. RF coils and cables
2. RF coils and door seals
3. Cables and door seals
4. quench system
5. all of the above
Ans: all of the above
The method for shimming the main magnetic field are
Ans: Active shimming and Passive shimming
Factors that affect SNR include all of the following except:
1. TR
2. Field strength
3. FOV
4. Matrix
5. Hour of the day
Ans: hour of the day
Factors that affect spatial resolution include all of the following except:
1. FOV
2. Slice thickness
3. Flip angle
4. Matrix
Ans: flip angle
Factors that affect contrast include all the following except:
1. TR
2. TE
3. TI
4. Flip angle
5. Matrix
Ans: Matrix
SNR is a factor that is measured (T or F)
Ans: True
If the slice thickness increases, the SNR
Ans: increase
If the slice thickness increases, the spatial resolution
Ans: decrease
Changing the size of the voxel in the frequency direction will ______ scan time
Ans: have no effect
If the slice thickness is increased by a factor of 2 (form 5 to 10 mm), the SNR (all other
factors remaining constant) is:
Ans: Increases by a factor of 2
Flow artifacts can be reduced by:
1. GMN
2. Spatial presaturation pulses
3. Shortening the TE
Ans: all
A decrease in voxel volume leads to a decrease in
Ans: Chemical shift and Partial volume averaging
As FOV increases, partial volume averaging ______
Ans: increases
As slice thickness increases, partial volume averaging
Ans: increases
As matrix increases, partial volume averaging
Ans: decreases
As TR increases, partial volume averaging
Ans: is not affected
Susceptibility effects can be reduced by
Ans: Reducing FOV and Reducing TE
A leak in the RF shielding can appear as a
Ans: "Zipper" artifact in the frequency direction
To correct for Gibbs artifact
Ans: Increase FOV
Chemical shift occurs because the
Ans: Fat and water precess at different frequencies
Chemical shift becomes more obvious as the
Ans: Receiver bandwidth is decreased
In order to compensate for aliasing
Ans: increase FOV and oversample
Gibbs, or truncation, artifact is seen as
Ans: High and low signal intensity bands
The amount of RF energy necessary to produce a 45 degree flip angle is determined by the
Ans: Coil being used, Amplitude (power) and duration of the RF pulse, Strength of the external
magnetic field
The MR system component that produces the B1 field is the
Ans: RF system
Magnetic fields associated with MR imaging systems including the:
1. Static magnetic field (BO)
2. RF
3. Gradient field
4. Gantry field
Ans: 1, 2, and 3tesla
There are various types of magnets that can be used for MR imagers. These include:
1. Permanent magnets
2. Resistive magnets
3. Hybrid magnet
4. Superconducting magnet
Ans: All
The MR system component that provides a means for alignment (magnetization of proton
spins) is the
Ans: Main magnet
Alternative name for Larmor frequency?
Ans: Precession frequency
Refers to the rate of precession of the magnetic moment of the proton around the external
magnetic field.
Ans: Larmor frequency
This value will affect the larmor frequency?
Ans: Strength of external magnetic field
Irish physicist and Mathematician who noted that protons precess at a certain rate?
Ans: Joseph Larmor
Alternative names for Larmor constant?
Ans: Gyromagnetic ratio, Magnetogyric ratio
Ratio of magnetic dipole moment to angular momentum?
Ans: Larmor constant
When is magnetization said to be saturated?
Ans: Transverse magnetization
Net magnetization of the protons at equilibrium? It is oriented in the same direction as the
magnetic field of the imaging magnet?
Ans: Longitudinal Magnetization
Produced by applying a pulse of RF energy to the magnetized tissue at 90 degree pulse which
converts longitudinal magnetization into this form of magnetization?
Ans: Transverse magnetization
Small electrical current induced in the receiver coil by the precession of the net
magnetization (M) during resonance?
Ans: MR signal
What law is the manifestation where changing magnetic field induces a voltage in a nearby
conductor?
Ans: Faraday's Law of Induction
Return of the transverse magnetization to equilibrium? It is often the initial rapid decaying
signal?
Ans: Free induction decay
Difference in brightness between the light and dark areas of a picture?
Ans: MRI Image Contrast
Areas with high MRI signal appear?
Ans: Bright
Areas with low MRI signal appear?
Ans: Dark
What are the three types of Contrast for MRI?
Ans: T1 weighted, T2 weighted and Proton Density Weighted Imaging
Defined as the process of returning of net magnetization to equilibrium after excitation with
an RF pulse?
Ans: Relaxation
What are the types of relaxation?
Ans: Longitudinal Relaxation/T1 Recovery
Transversal Relaxation/T2 Decay
Alternative name for Longitudinal relaxation?
Ans: T1 Recovery
Alternative name for Transversal Relaxation?
Ans: T2 Decay
Occurs when body tissues are placed in a magnetic field and gradually change from
demagnetized to a magnetized state?
Ans: Longitudinal relaxation
What is T1?
Ans: time required for about 63% of the magnetization to recover
What is the range for T1?
Ans: 0.1-4.0 seconds
What are the water compartments of the body?
Ans: Free water, Bound water
Water compartment which moves rapidly and is highly disorganized?
Ans: Free water
Water compartment which is restricted because of proximity with macromolecules?
Ans: Bound water
What causes the differences in the magnetization rates for T1 weighted imaging?
Ans: Motion of the molecules
What water compartment recovers magnetization slowly because it is too fast to facilitate
relaxation?
Ans: Free water or small molecules
What water compartment recovers magnetization too quickly because it moves slowly?
Ans: Magnetization
Time when the transverse magnetization decrease to 37% of the original value?
Ans: Transverse relaxation or T2 Decay
What is T2 range?
Ans: 30-150 msec
Why does the decay of transverse magnetization occur?
Ans: Dephasing among individual protons with in the tissue
Number of excitable spins per unit volume?
Ans: Proton density (PD)
Signal for Proton density weighting is dependent on?
Ans: Amount of protons in the tissue
What does less protons mean for proton density weighting?
Ans: Low signal (dark areas)
What does more protons mean for proton density weighting?
Ans: High signal (Bright areas)
What water compartment recovers magnetization too quickly because it moves slowly?
Ans: Magnetization
Time when the transverse magnetization decrease to 37% of the original value?
Ans: Transverse relaxation or T2 Decay
What is T2 range?
Ans: 30-150 msec
At a field strength of 1.0 tesla, the approximate T2 relaxation time for grey matter is what?
Ans: 100MS
In a T2 weighted image, CSF has a ________ T2 relaxation time and therefore appears
_______.
Ans: Long, Bright
At a field strength of 1.0 tesla, the approximate T2 relaxation time for renal cortex tissue is
what?
Ans: 70MS
At a field strength of 1.0 tesla, the approximate T2 relaxation time for spleen tissue is what?
Ans: 80MS
A 180 degree RF pulse is used to ______ the dephasing net vector in the transverse plane.
Ans: REFOCUS
When the phase encoding gradient is activated, steep slopes produce what type of signal
amplitude?
Ans: low
At a field strength of 1.0 tesla, the approximate T1 relaxation time for CSF is what?
Ans: 2000MS
At a field strength of 1.0 tesla, the approximate T2 relaxation time of fat is what?
Ans: 40
During the acquisition of axial images of the body with the phase direction A/P, frequency
encoding is performed by which physical gradient?
Ans: X
At a field strength of 1.0 tesla, the approximate T1 relaxation time for muscle tissue is what?
Ans: 600
In a T1 weighted image, a short TR is used to do what?
Ans: MAX T1
At a field strength of 1.0 tesla, the approximate T2 relaxation time for renal medulla tissue is
what?
Ans: 140
During the acquisition of axial images of the body with the frequency direction L/R, phase
encoding is performed by which physical gradient?
Ans: Y
In a T2 weighted image, tissues with long T2 relaxation times appear ______.
Ans: HYPERINTENSE
Which of the following logical gradients is known as the phase encoding gradient?
Ans: Y
The range of frequencies that is sampled during frequency encoding is known as what?
Ans: RECIEVE BANDWITH
The Y gradient alters the magnetic field strength along which axis?
Ans: VERTICAL
During slice selection, the Y gradient is used to select slices in which plane?
Ans: CORONAL
At a field strength of 1.0 tesla, the approximate T1 relaxation time for spleen tissue is what?
Ans: 480
At a field strength of 1.0 Tesla, the approximate T1 relaxation time for blood is what?
Ans: 800
The image parameter that primarily affects T1 weighting is known as what
Ans: TR
At a field strength of 1.0 tesla, the approximate T1 relaxation time for renal medulla tissue is
what?
Ans: 680
At a field strength of 1.0 tesla, the approximate T1 relaxation time for renal cortex tissue is
what?
Ans: 360
The X gradient alters the magnetic field strength along which axis
Ans: HORIZONTAL
The time between the 90 degree RF pulse and the spin echo signal in a spin echo pulse
sequence is known as what?
Ans: TE
In a 1.0 tesla magnet, the difference in the precessional frequency between fat and water is
what?
Ans: 147
During the acquisition of axial images of the brain with the frequency direction A/P, phase
encoding is performed by which physical gradient?
Ans: X
The signal created after applying a 90 degree RF pulse is known as what?
Ans: FID
The image parameter that primarily affects T2 weighting is known as what?
Ans: TE
Concerning nuclear spin (I), which of the following is true?
Ans: Spin can only have integer or half-integer values.
Which of the following spins (I) could a nucleus not possess?
Ans: 3/4
Concerning nuclear spin (I), which of the following statements is false?
Ans: The hydrogen (¹H) nucleus contains one proton and one electron.
Concerning nuclear spin (I), which of the following statements is false?
Ans: To determine net nuclear spin (I), you simply add up the number of protons and neutrons
and divide by 2.
Concerning nuclear spin (I) and NMR, which of the following statements is false?
Ans: Nuclei with I = 0 readily undergo NMR.
Which of the following statements concerning the magnetic dipole moment is false?
Ans: The dipole moment will precess when placed in an external magnetic field.
Which of the following statements about a magnetic dipole placed in an external magnetic
field is false?
Ans: The dipole is at its lowest energy state when pointing in a direction opposite the field.
The dipole magnetic moment (μ) is directly proportional to nuclear spin (I), connected by a
constant called the
Ans: Gyromagnetic ratio (γ)
Which of the following statements about the gyromagnetic ratio (γ) is false?
Ans: It is the same for all isotopes of a given element.
The ¹H nucleus has a spin (I) = ½. When placed in an external magnetic field, its number of
measurable spin states (eigenstates) will be
Ans: 2
Besides ¹H, two nuclei commonly studied by NMR spectroscopy are ³¹P and ¹³C. The fact that
all three isotopes have identical nuclear spins (I) = ½ means that when placed in an external
magnetic field
Ans: They will each exhibit two discrete measurable energy states.
²³Na is another NMR active isotope used for imaging research. It has a nuclear spin (I) = 3/2.
Compared to the ¹H nucleus with I = 1/2, in an external magnetic field
Ans: ²³Na will manifest 4 discrete energy states.
The famous experiment demonstrating how spin-½ particles can be physically separated into
two groups by a magnetic field was performed in 1922 by
Ans: Stern and Gerlach
Which of the following names refers to the highest energy spin state of an ¹H nucleus in a
magnetic field?
Ans: Spin-down
Why don't all the nuclear spins simply fall to their lowest energy states to minimize total
system energy?
Ans: Thermal molecular collisions tend to equalize the distribution of nuclei between lower-
and higher-energy states.
According to quantum mechanical (QM) theory and experiment, which statement is true?
Ans: Scientists have been able to trap and manipulate spins in a superposition between their
up- and down-states.
Which of scientist first experimentally demonstrated the NMR phenomenon in the 1930's
and gave it its name?
Ans: Isidor Rabi
Which of the following statements about the NMR discoveries of Felix Bloch and Edward
Purcell is true?
Ans: Their initial reports were published simultaneously in 1946.
The radiofrequency (RF) field used to inject energy into a spin system to induce nuclear
resonance is called
Ans: B1
For resonance to occur, B1 must be applied exactly at the Larmor frequency
Ans: FALSE
For resonance to occur, B1 must be applied exactly perpendicularly to B0
Ans: FALSE
Which of the following statements about flip angle using conventional RF-pulses is false?
Ans: Flip angle is measured relative to the direction of B1.
(Advanced) Which of the following statements concerning the spin-system immediately
after a 90°-pulse is true?
Ans: If the z-component of angular momentum were measured for all protons, an equal
number of spin-up and spin-down states would be observed.
When stimulated to higher energy levels by RF-excitation, protons spontaneously release
this energy and fall back to lower levels.
Ans: FALSE
The complex motion of the net magnetization vector (M) when acted upon by both B0 and
B1 can be simplified by considering the system in the
Ans: Rotating frame of reference.
(Advanced) What happens if the B1 field is not applied exactly at the Larmor frequency?
Ans: Spins will precess around an effective field Beff in the rotating frame that takes into
account of off-resonance B1 and B0 effects.
(Advanced) Which of the following statements about adiabatic excitation is false?
Ans: Doubling the duration of a 90°-adiabatic pulse creates a 180°-adiabatic pulse.
Which of the following is not a synonym for T1 relaxation?
Ans: Spin-spin relaxation
Which of the following is/are synonyms for T2 relaxation?
Ans: Both a) and b)
Which of the following statements about T1 relaxation is false?
Ans: This energy loss occurs by spontaneous emission of photons from the protons.
When an unmagnetized sample is placed in a magnetic field, an internal magnetization (M)
will develop and grow to a maximum value in the longitudinal direction (M0). The first order
exponential time constant for this growth is defined as
Ans: T1
T1 is the time required for the longitudinal magnetization Mz to grow from zero to about
____ of its maximum value (M0)
Ans: 63%
T2 is the time required for the transverse components of magnetization M0 to decay to
approximately ____ from their maximum initial value after a 90°-pulse.
Ans: 37%
Which of the following statements concerning T2 relaxation is false?
Ans: Any process causing T2 relaxation also results in T1 relaxation.
If the T1 relaxation time for brain tissue is 1000 ms, what is its relaxation rate (R1)?
Ans: 1 sec−1
Which of the following statements concerning T1 and T2 relaxation times in tissues at 1.5T
are correct?
Ans: All are true.
Which of the following relaxation time pairs for tissue is impossible?
Ans: T1 = 500 ms. T2 = 600 ms
Which of the following biological materials would be expected to have the shortest T2
values?
Ans: Achilles tendon
Which of the following biological materials would be expected to have the shortest T1
values?
Ans: Scalp fat
Which of the following biological materials would be expected to have the longest T2
values?
Ans: Urine in the bladder
Which of the following statements about T2* is false?
Ans: T2* is always longer than T2.
Which of the following molecular mechanisms is the most important for causing T1 and T2
relaxation in ¹H NMR?
Ans: Dipole-dipole interactions
Because they each have spin = ½, electrons and protons are equally effective at producing
dipole-dipole interactions.
Ans: False
Intramolecular dipole-dipole interactions are more powerful than intermolecular ones.
Ans: True
In dipole-dipole interactions, T1 relaxation is most efficient (and T1 values are shortest) for
Ans: Molecules tumbling near the Larmor frequency
In dipole-dipole interactions, T2 relaxation is most efficient (and T2 values are shortest) for
Ans: Macromolecules bound to a rigid biologic scaffold or matrix
Considering the effects of macromolecules on relaxation times, which of the following is
false
Ans: These "bound" water protons interact exclusively with macromolecules and not with the
"free water" pool.
Which of the following ¹H-containing molecules account for nearly 100% of the signal
recorded within the brain parenchyma using routine MRI sequences?
Ans: Water
By irradiating tissue with an off-resonance RF-pulse it is possible to affect image contrast by
transferring energy between macromolecular and free-water pools. This process is known as
Ans: Magnetization transfer
As field strength increases from 0.5T to 3.0T, the T1 of most tissues
Ans: Increases
As field strength increase from 0.5T to 3.0T, the T2 of most tissues
Ans: Remains about the same
NMR relaxation theory from basic science nearly completely explains T1 and T2 values
observed in tissues.
Ans: False
The MR signal in adipose tissue comes primarily from hydrogen protons in
Ans: Long-chain triglycerides
Protons in which lipid elements do not contribute significantly to the bright MR signal of fat
on routine T1-weighted imaging?
Ans: Cell membrane phospholipids
Examples of bright T1 signal due to exogenous lipids include all of the following except
Ans: A commercial MR skin marker
T1 shortening due to cholesterol substantially explains the MR signal seen in which of the
following diseases?
Ans: None of the above
Why do areas of microcalcification sometimes appear bright on T1-weighted images?
Ans: Interaction with salts on porous calcium surfaces slows rotation of water molecules
The T1-bright signal of meconium is primarily due to
Ans: Paramagnetic minerals
The “magic angle” effect takes place when two magnetic dipoles form an angle of about how
many degrees with each other?
Ans: 55º
Interaction of two dipoles at the magic angle affects
Ans: T2 only
Which tissue in the list below does not normally demonstrate signal changes on MRI due to
the magic angle effect?
Ans: Liver
You look at a circular loop of wire such that the plane of the loop is perpendicular to your
line of vision. The loop has a constant current that is running through it clockwise. What will
happen if a magnetic field were to be activated that is pointing in your direction?
Ans: The current in the loop will continue clockwise but will increase
An electron moves at 85km/s to the right along the plane of the page, while a uniform
magnetic field points into the page. In what direction does the force act on the moving
electron?
Ans: Upward along the plane of the page
You look at a circular loop of wire such that the plane of the loop is perpendicular to your
line of vision. In what direction must a current be going through the loop in order for a
magnetic field to be produced in your direction.
Ans: Counterclockwise
Which of the following influences the emf produced in a wire loop that is rotating in a
magnetic field?
Ans: The size of the loop
Which of the following best describes magnetic field lines?
Ans: They show both the relative strength and direction of the magnetic field
A 0.5m current-carrying wire is placed in a uniform magnetic field oriented perpendicularly
to the wire. The length of the wire is 4m and the magnitude of the magnetic field is 8T. What
is the force on the wire?
Ans: 16N
A scientist builds a particle accelerator. Which of the following would not help the scientist
increase the speed of a particle in the accelerator?
Ans: Increasing the mass of the particles in the accelerator
A charged particle enters a uniform magnetic field, with velocity v perpendicular to the field,
and moves in a circular path of radius R. If the particle's mass were doubled, the radius
would become __________.
Ans: 2R
An electron is moving at a constant velocity due east. It travels from a region of zero
magnetic field into a uniform magnetic field of nonzero magnitude and unknown direction.
Which of the following could not describe the electron's motion after entering the field?
Ans: It continues traveling east, but at a greater velocity
RF SHIELDING IS KNOWN AS A
Ans: FARADAY CAGE
THE ONLY WAY THE SPATIAL RESOLUTION CAN INCREASED IS TO
Ans: REDUCE THE VOXEL VOLUME
IF A THICKER SLICE IS DESIRED
Ans: A LOWER AMPLITUDE OF THE Z GRADIENT IS SELECTED
THE OUTER LINES OF K SPACE HOLD
Ans: EDGE DETAIL
THE MIDDLE LINES OF K SPACE CONTAIN OVER 90% OF THE
Ans: IMAGE DETAIL, IMAGE CONTRAST
WHEN DOES PHASE ENCODING TAKE PLACE
Ans: DURING THE FID , AFTER THE SLICE SELECTION AND BEFORE THE READOUT
THE PHASE ENCODING GRADIENT REPRESENTS
Ans: THE LINE IN K SPACE ON WHICH THE DATA WILL BE PLOTTED DURING THE READOUT
PERIOD
SLICE THICKNESS IS DETERMINED BY THESE 2 THINGS
Ans: AMPLITUDE OF THE GRADIENT BANDWIDTH OF THE RF PULSE
WHEN IS THE SLICE SELECTION GRADIENT APPLIED
Ans: DURING THE 90 AND 180 DEGREE RF PULSE
TO EVALUATE IMAGES WITH T2* CONTRAST _ IMAGES ARE REQUIRED
Ans: GRADIENT ECHO
THE DIFFERENCE IN PRECESSIONAL FREQUENCY, DUE TO THE CHEMICAL/MOLECULAR
ENVIRONMENT, IS KNOWN AS
Ans: T2*
THE CHEMICAL SHIFT BETWEEN FAT AND WATER AT 1.5 T IS __, OR H + WATER WILL
PRECESS THIS MUCH FASTER THAN THE H+ IN FAT
Ans: 224HZ
THE DIFFERENCE IN PRECESSIONAL FREQUENCY OF THE HYDROGEN IN FAT AND WATER IS
KNOWN AS
Ans: CHEMICAL SHIFT
THE FID CAN BE ALTERED BY
Ans: FOURIER TRANSFORM
THE SIGNAL INDUCED IN A RECEIVER COIL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AN RF EXCITATION
PULSE IS KNOWN AS THE
Ans: FREE INDUCTION DECAY
The gyromagnetic ratio of h+ in 1 T is
Ans: 42.6 MHz
This gradient coil varies the intensity of the magnetic field in the right to left direction
Ans: X
A way to express the gradient performance referring to the acceleration of the gradient
magnetic field to its maximum amplitude, expressed in units of T/m/s.
Ans: Slew rate
This gradient coil varies the intensity of the magnetic field in the head to foot direction
Ans: Z
The main purpose of the gradient subsystem is to
Ans: All of the above
If 256 frequency samples are collected and the readout or sampling period is 8 ms, the
receiver bandwidth would be
Ans: 16 Khz
The receiver bandwidth is determined by the number of
Ans: Frequency samples in the matrix
The receiver gandwidth represents the range of frequencies sampled during the
Ans: Frequency encoding gradient
The slice location is determined by the
Ans: Transmit frequency of the rf pul
A narrow bandwidth allows for _slices
Ans: Thinner
Allow for increased area of coverage without the reduction in SNR, have multiple coils and
receivers.
Ans: Phase array
Require the use of solenoid coils due to the orientation of the B0, more effiecient than linear
coil, and can be combine with other coils electronically to improve signal uniformity through
a region of interest.
Ans: Vertical
These coils utilize additional loops and circiutry to improve the efficiency with which the MR
signal is induced in the coil, and increase SNR approximately 40% over the coil of the same
size.
Ans: Quadrature
This type of magnetic shielding uses other magnets and their associated magnetic field to
confine the field of the main magnet
Ans: Active
This type magnetic shielding uses metal, usually steel, in the scan room walls to contain the
fringe field
Ans: Passive
Superconductive magnets are limited to _ T in clinical MRI by the FDA.
Ans: 4
The majority of superconducting magnets are __ in design and exhibit a (horizontal or
vertical) magnetiic field.
Ans: Solenoid horitzontal
Magnets that utilize direct current applied to a coil of wire, and are submerged in liquid
helium or cryogen to cool the wires.
Ans: Superconducting
This magnet can be used in horizontal or vertical field system, and have strengths up to 0.3
T, and can be turned off.
Ans: Resistive
Wires are aligned side by side to create magnet field
Ans: Selenoid magnet
Permanent magnets have field strengths of
Ans: 0.06 -0.35T
Magnets made of blocks or slabs or naturally occurring ferrous material.
Ans: Permanent
10000 gauss = _ Tesla
Ans: 1 T
These substances exhibit positive suseptibility , are stronger than paramagnetic substances,
but are weaker than ferromagnetic substances, and are used as T2 contrast agents
Ans: Superparamagnetic
These substances exhibit positive susceptibility, but when placed in an external magnetic
field they will remain magnetized when external magnetic field is removed
Ans: Ferromagnetic
Gadolinium is an example of a _ substance
Ans: Paramagnetic
Substances that exhibit a slight increase in the magnetic field when placed in an externally
applied magnetic field. They have low and positive susceptibility.
Ans: Paramagnetic
These substances exhibit a very slight negative or repelling effect when placed in externally
applied magnetic field. They have low and negative susceptibility.
Ans: Diamagnetic
When the current flowing through a wire reverses direction, the magnetic field around the
wire
Ans: Reverses direction
The bulk magnetic properties of matter derive primarily from
Ans: Electrons
If the current in a wire doubles, the induced magnetic field
Ans: Doubles
The direction of magnetic field lines surrounding a wire can be determined using
Ans: The right-hand rule
The voltage induced across a stationary conductor in an external static magnetic field
Ans: Is zero
Concerning the relationship between electricity and magnetism, which of the following
statements is false?
Ans: A constant magnetic field induces voltage in a nearby stationary wire.
Which question about the Tesla (T) is correct?
Ans: It is one of the coolest cars on the road
Concerning magnetic field strengths, which statement is true?
Ans: The earth's magnetic field is about 0.5 G.
Which of the following materials is paramagnetic?
Ans: Air
A material that is weakly repulsed by a magnetic field is known as
Ans: Diamagnetic
Susceptibility (χ) is negative for materials that are
Ans: Diamagnetic
Ferromagnetic materials form magnetic ________ when arrays of electron spins become
linked via quantum exchange interaction.
Ans: Domains
Comparing superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic materials, which statement is false?
Ans: Superparamagnetism persists once the external field is removed.
The most common design configuration for clinical MR scanners is
Ans: Closed bore superconducting
The highest field strength permitted for adults in routine clinical practice by the United
States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is
Ans: 8.0 Tesla
The first company to produce a clinical whole-body MRI scanner for commercial use was
Ans: Fonar
The direction of the main magnetic field (Bo) in a cylindrical closed bore scanner is
Ans: Longitudinal (along the main axis) of the cylinder
Which of the following is not an advantage of low- and intermediate-field (< 1.0 T) MR
scanners?
Ans: Improved detection of gadolinium enhancement
Which of the following is not an advantage of high-field (≥ 1.0 T) MR scanners?
Ans: Smaller artifacts around metallic implants
Quoted specifications for four different magnets are given below. Which one has the best
homogeneity?
Ans: <1 ppm over a 40 cm DSV
Poor magnetic field homogeneity may affect image quality in the following ways
Ans: All of the above
Which of the following statements about passive shimming is true?
Ans: Passive shimming is affected by room temperature.
Which of the following statements about superconductivity is correct?
Ans: The magnetic field is zero inside the center of a superconducting wire.
The superconducting component in the main windings of nearly all clinical MR scanners is an
alloy of
Ans: Niobium (Nb) and Titanium (Ti)
The cryostat of a typical superconducting MR scanner contains all of the following except
Ans: Liquid nitrogen
The temperature of liquid helium is approximately
Ans: 4 °K
MRI facilities often display a sign on the door that says: "Warning! The magnet is always
on." This sign would not strictly apply to a
Ans: Resistive magnet scanner
Pushing the "big red button" near the door to a room housing an MRI scanner
Ans: Initiates a controlled quench of the magnetic field
During a magnetic quench, why should patients and employees be evacuated from the scan
room?
Ans: Asphyxiation may occur.
Magnetic field gradients for imaging are typically measured in units of
Ans: Millitesla per meter (mT/m)
For a supine patient, enabling the z-gradient alone to alter the magnetic field within a
patient during slice selection would create a(n)
Ans: Axial slice
What is the effect of applying the x- and z-gradients simultaneously during slice selection?
Ans: An oblique slice will be created.
When the y-gradient is turned on, what happens to the direction of the main (Bo) field?
Ans: The Bo field remains pointing in its original (z)-direction.
The basic coil configuration used to generate the z-gradient in a cylindrical MR scanner is
known as
Ans: Maxwell pair.
Which of the following statements about eddy currents is false?
Ans: They especially affect traditional spin-echo sequences with long TE's.
Concerning actively shielded gradients, which statement is true?
Ans: All of the above are true.
Which of the following methods is not used to reduce eddy currents:
Ans: Active shimming coils.
Typical values for peak gradient strength in a modern 1.5 T scanner are in the range of
Ans: 20-50 mT/m.
The time for a gradient to ramp from zero to its maximum value is known as its
Ans: Rise time.
The definition of gradient slew rate is
Ans: Peak gradient strength ÷ Rise time.
The units for slew rate are given in
Ans: Tesla per meter per second (T/m/s).
Typical maximum slew rate values quoted for modern 1.5 T scanners are in the range of
Ans: 100−200 T/m/s.
A gradient that ramps from 0 to a peak amplitude of 30 mT/m in 0.25 ms has a slew rate of
Ans: 120 T/m/s.
Which gradient specification is generally the most important when assessing how well an
MR system is capable of performing rapid, high-resolution imaging?
Ans: Slew rate.
How many sets of paired physical gradients are present in an MR scanner?
Ans: 3
Which of the following statements about gradient duty cycle is false
Ans: Its value is independent of the type of pulse sequence (SE, IR, etc).
Which of the following statements about the gradient subsystem is true
Ans: Gradient coils generate considerable heat during operation.
Which coils are located closest to the patient in an MR scanner?
Ans: RF-receiver coils.
In the construction of a superconducting MR magnet, which is the correct order of coils from
outermost to innermost?
Ans: Shielding coils, main magnet windings, gradient coils, RF coils.
Although most local RF coils are "receive only", some specially designed to operate in
"transmit-receive (T/R)" mode. T/R coils commonly offered by MR vendors include all of the
following except
Ans: Spine coils.
A 1.5 T MR scanner has a base operating frequency of approximately 64 MHz. In the
electromagnetic spectrum, this is considered to be in the range of
Ans: Radio frequencies.
Use of a single element surface coil placed directly on the patient offers which advantages?
Ans: High signal-to-noise.
Comparing 10 cm and 20 cm diameter surface coils, which of the following is false?
Ans: The 20 cm coil has higher signal-to-noise for voxels immediately under the coil.
Comparing linear and quadrature coils
Ans: Quadrature coils offer about 40% greater signal-to-noise.
A sinusoidal wave can be described by the equation S(t) = A sin (ωt − φ). The constant A
represents
Ans: Half the difference in height between positive and negative peaks.
An MR scanner employs three different magnetic fields— the main field (B0), gradient fields
(G), and radiofrequency field (B1). In terms of relative strength from weakest to strongest,
the proper ranking is
Ans: B1 < G < B0
Which of the following is not an advantage of parallel (multi-)transmit RF?
Ans: Increased standing waves due to dielectric effect.
Comparing phased array and parallel array coils, which of the following is true?
Ans: Both types of coils offer improved signal-to-noise and increased field-of-view.
Parallel imaging systems are composed of coil elements, segments, and channels. The
proper transmission hierarchy beginning with the patient and proceeding upward through
the processing chain is
Ans: Elements → segments → channels
Advantages of parallel receiver coil arrays include all of the following except
Ans: Ease of design.
The effective depth of penetration for signal reception from a 20 cm diameter single loop
surface coil is approximately
Ans: 10−15 cm
Concerning the main transmit RF-body coil, which statement is false?
Ans: It is commonly used to receive the MR signal
Which of the following components of an MR system is typically not located in an adjoining
equipment room?
Ans: Gradient coils
Where is the master computer located that controls the MR scanner and processes data into
images?
Ans: In the MR scanner control room
The function of the array processor is to
Ans: Reconstruct the raw NMR data into images
Which scanner is the heaviest (and would thus require the most floor support)?
Ans: 0.35 T Permanent magnet system
Which scanner is would have the lowest overall siting and operational costs?
Ans: 0.35 T Permanent magnet system
Which component of a superconducting MR scanner does not require specialized cooling to
maintain function?
Ans: Radiofrequency coils
The B0 field of an MR scanner is most homogeneous at
Ans: In the middle of the bore at isocenter
Which scanner would have the largest fringe field?
Ans: 3.0 T Superconductive system
If one moves from 1 meter to 2 meters away from a magnet, the fringe field will be reduced
by a factor of approximately
Ans: 8
The fringe fields of cylindrical superconducting magnet are highest
Ans: In the z-direction (along the axis bore)
The primary purpose for passive magnetic shielding is
Ans: To reduce fringe magnetic fields outside the scanner room.
Concerning passive shielding, which statement is true?
Ans: It is more commonly required for 7.0T than for 1.5 T installations.
Passive magnetic shielding of the scanner room is typically achieved using sheets or rods
made of
Ans: Iron
The fringe magnetic field arising from an MR scanner
Ans: None of the above.
What is the “5 Gauss Line”?
Ans: A fringe field line that may pose danger to patients with certain pacemakers
Which statement about ACR Safety Zones 1 and 2 is correct?
Ans: Both Zones 1 and 2 lie outside the 5 Gauss line.
Which statement about ACR Safety Zone 3 is false?
Ans: Ferromagnetic objects may not be brought into this area.
Which statement about ACR Safety Zone 4 is true?
Ans: Zone 4 is synonymous with the room containing the MR scanner.
Why might large trucks on a road 20 meters away from an MR scanner be of potential
concern for siting?
Ans: The physical vibrations they produce can affect image quality.
The loud noise produced by an MR system during a scan is primarily due to
Ans: Vibrations of the gradient coils
Which of the following sequences would likely generate the loudest noise during scanning?
Ans: Echo-planar diffusion tensor imaging of the brain
Which of the following statements about MR scanner noise is false
Ans: Although potentially uncomfortable for the patient, there is no real risk to hearing.
Which of the following methods can reduce scanner noise?
Ans: All of the above
Newer "quiet" MR sequences with longer gradient ramp times are now available. Which of
the following statements about these sequences is true
Ans: They can reduce noise levels to within 10 dB of background.
Radiofrequency shielding of the scanner room is most commonly achieved by lining the
walls with thin sheets of
Ans: Copper
The primary purpose for radiofrequency shielding is
Ans: To keep extraneous radiofrequency noise from entering the scanner room
In most clinical MR sites, the principal source RF-interference that needs to be excluded
comes from cell phones, TV, and radio transmissions.
Ans: False
A device that allows a plastic oxygen hose to be passed through the wall of an MR scanner
room without disrupting the integrity of the RF-shielding is called a
Ans: Waveguide
A common location for RF-leakage into the scanner room is
Ans: Around the door
What are the poles of a magnet?
Ans: The place where the magnetic forces are strongest
What happens when two magnets are brought close to each other?
Ans: They exert a force on each other
What happens when two like poles of magnets are brought close to each other?
Ans: The repel each other
What happens when two unlike poles of magnets are brought close to each other?
Ans: They attract each other
What type of force is magnetism an example of?
Ans: A non-contact force
What is a permanent magnet?
Ans: One which produces its own magnetic field
What is an induced magnet?
Ans: A material that becomes a magnet when it is placed in a magnetic field
What happens to an induced magnet when it is taken out of a magnetic field?
Ans: It loses most/all of its magnetism quickly
What is the only force that is caused by an induced magnet?
Ans: A force of attraction
What is a magnetic field?
Ans: The region around a magnet where a force acts on another magnet or on a magnetic
material
What materials are magnetic?
Ans: Iron, cobalt, nickel, steel (an iron alloy)
What type of force exists between a magnet and a magnetic material?
Ans: Attractive magnetic force
What does the strength of the magnetic field depend upon?
Ans: The distance it is from the magnet. The field is strongest at the poles
How do we define the direction of the magnetic field?
Ans: The direction of the magnetic field at any point is given by the direction of the force that
would act on another north pole placed at that point
What direction do magnetic field lines point?
Ans: From the north seeking pole of a magnet to the south seeking pole of a magnet
How does a magnetic compass work?
Ans: It contains a small bar magnet that points in the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field
Why does Earth have a magnetic field?
Ans: It has an iron core
How can you use a compass to plot the magnetic field pattern of a magnet?
Ans: 1. Place the compass in the field around the magnet
2. Draw a dot where the compass points (north and south)
3. Move the compass so that the south direction of the needle is at the
dot you just drew
4. Repeat until the lines form a loop and connect the dots
What happens when a current flows through a conducting wire?
Ans: A magnetic field is produced around the wire
What does the strength of a magnetic field depend on when a current flows through a wire?
Ans: The size of the current, The distance from the wire
What is a solenoid?
Ans: A coil of wire
What happens to the magnetic field when a wire is shaped into a solenoid?
Ans: It becomes much stronger
Describe the magnetic field inside the solenoid?
Ans: It is strong and uniform (it has the same strength and direction at every point)
Describe the shape of the magnetic field around a solenoid?
Ans: The same as the shape of a magnetic field around a bar magnet
How can the strength of a solenoid be increased?
Ans: By adding an iron core
What is an electromagnet?
Ans: A solenoid with an iron core
How can the magnetic field of a solenoid be stopped?
Ans: Turn of the current
What is an advantage of using an electromagnetic instead of a permanent magnet?
Ans: The magnetic field can be turned on and off
What is the motor effect? (higher tier only)
Ans: The term used when a current carrying wire experiences a force, causing it to move,
when placed in a magnetic field
Describe what happens when a current carrying wire is put between magnetic poles?
Ans: The magnetic field around the wire interacts with the magnetic field it has been placed in,
causing the wire and the magnet to exert a force on each other
To experience the full force from the motor effect, what direction does the wire have to be
compared to the magnetic field? (higher tier only)
Ans: 90o to the magnetic field
When would a wire experience no force from the motor effect? (higher tier only)
Ans: If the wire runs parallel to the magnetic field
What does Fleming’s left hand rule represent? (higher tier only)
Ans: The relative orientation of the directions of the force, the current in the conductor and
the magnetic field
What will affect the size of the force acting on the conductor in a magnetic field?
Ans: The magnetic flux density, the size of the current, the length of the conductor that’s in
the magnetic field
What word equation represents the force exerted on a conductor carrying a current at 90o
to a magnetic field?
Ans: Force = magnetic flux density x current x length
What symbol equation represents the force exerted on a conductor carrying a current at 90o
to a magnetic field? (higher tier only)
Ans: F = B I l
What is the unit and unit symbol of magnetic flux density (B)
Ans: Tesla, T
What is the unit and unit symbol of current (I)
Ans: Amps, A
What happens to a loop of wire carrying a current when placed in a magnetic field?
Ans: It rotates
Why does a loop of wire rotate in a magnetic field? (higher tier only)
Ans: The current travels in opposite directions through the magnetic field meaning the forces
acting on the wire act in opposite directions
What is used in an electric motor to switch the direction of the current in the wires causing it
to continue to rotate? (higher tier only)
Ans: A split ring commutator
How do loudspeakers and headphones use the motor effect? (higher tier only)
Ans: They convert variations in current in electrical circuits to the pressure variations in sound
waves
Describe how loudspeakers and headphones works? (higher tier only)
Ans: 1. A coil of wire is attached to a cone
2. When an alternating current flows through the wire it creates a magnetic field
3. The magnetic field interacts with the field from the permanent magnet
4. This produces a resultant force on the cone causing it to move
5. When the frequency of the AC current changes, the frequency of the sound changes
What is the generator effect? (triple science only)
Ans: The induction of a potential difference in a wire which is moving relative to a magnetic
field
When would a current be induced during the generator effect? (triple science only)
Ans: If the conductor moving through the magnetic field was in a complete circuit
How does the magnetic field produced from an induced current interact with the magnetic
field already there? (triple science only)
Ans: The magnetic field created by a induced current acts against the change that made it
How can the size of the induced potential difference be changed? (triple science only)
Ans: Increasing the speed of movement that the conductor is moving in and out of a magnetic
field, Increasing the strength of the magnetic field, Turn the wire into a coil
How is the generator effect used in an alternator? (triple science only)
Ans: To generate an alternating current (AC)
How is the generator effect used in a dynamo? (triple science only)
Ans: To generate a direct current (DC)
Describe how an alternator works? (triple science only)
Ans: 1. Generators rotate a coil in a magnetic field
2. As the coil rotates, a current is induced in the coil
3. AC generators have slip rings and brushes so the current changes every half turn generating
an alternating current (AC)
Describe how a dynamo works? (triple science only)
Ans: 1. Generators rotate a coil in a magnetic field
2. As the coil rotates, a current is induced in the coil
3. The wire is attached to a split ring commutator
4. This keeps the current flowing in the same direction generating a direct current (DC)
How do microphones use the generator effect?
Ans: They convert the pressure variations in sound waves into variations in current in electrical
circuits
What is a transformer?
Ans: They can change the size of the potential difference
What type of current does a transformer only work for?
Ans: Alternating current
What does a basic transformer consist of? (triple science only)
Ans: A primary coil of wire and a secondary coil of wire wound on an iron core
Why is iron used as the core of a transformer? (triple science only)
Ans: It is easily magnetized
What is produced in the iron core when an alternating current is applied in the primary coil
of wire of a transformer? (triple science only)
Ans: A magnetic field that is changing
Describe how a transformer works? (triple science only)
Ans: An alternating current travels through the primary coil, This causes a changing magnetic
field around the bar magnet, This induces an alternating current in the secondary coil
In a step up transformer, in which coil of wire is the potential difference greatest?
Ans: The secondary coil
In a step down transformer, in which coil of wire is the potential difference greatest?
Ans: The primary coil
If transformers were 100% efficient, what would the electrical power output be?
Ans: Equal to the electrical power input
What equation relates the power input and output of transformers?
Ans: 𝑉𝑠 × 𝐼𝑠 = 𝑉𝑃 × 𝐼𝑝
What are is the unit and unit symbol of power? (triple science only)
Ans: Watts, W